Certain objects can be like little works of art. Vintage French match strikers are one such item. There is just something about them, they have a quality, a specialness that makes each one a little work of art. We have been selling them for many years, yet I am still completely smitten each time I pull one out of the case to show a customer. The size, the color, the varying fonts–each one incredibly unique.

I received an e-mail when we were in New York about a rather large, and I might add, amazingly spectacular vintage French match striker collection. It was a collection gathered over many years and would I be interested in it. OH MY WORD, I was stunned. I have never seen so many at one time. Not in all my years of hunting & gathering have I ever seen so much variation and quality. I am happy to report they are now all unpacked and priced and ready for sale at the shops. They really are little works of art. Even if they don’t get used to light a match, they look so cool on a mantle, coffee table or bar. If they do, all the better. Where beautiful form meets function. The coloring, the font variation, the shapes–all so appealing. Below is part of the collection at the First Avenue shop, looking pretty darn swanky next to all the glittering hotel silver. To say it was a happy Friday is a slight understatement…

I have been adding to the collection of vintage French match strikers at the shops, and have found some real gems as of late. They just have great soul as an object. The varying fonts just makes me dizzy with happiness. Popular during the turn of the 20th century in bistros throughout France, most were an advertisement for liquor companies. You can just imagine them all neatly lined up on the tables for waiting customers. They work beautifully for lighting candles, as a paperweight, or just a cool looking object on a side table.

Each word of the book is so lovingly spoken and your voice exudes such warmth and kindness. You are so genuine with your readers. And so interested in teaching them how to love… Love art…. Love nature… Love small things… Love friends… Love family… And love life.

— Haley from New York

Ted’s ‘Style & Simplicity’ is absolutely Lovely (with a capital L)! It’s also charming, fun to read, and full of wonderful advice.

— Newell Turner, Editor in Chief at House Beautiful

Ted Kennedy Watson has a most refined sense of aesthetics…and he shares some of his best secrets, for which I am so grateful!

— Lisa Birnbach, author of The Official Preppy Handbook

Ted, and his namesake fine good emporiums Watson Kennedy are legendary in this town. What he does brilliantly is quality over trend, substance over vapid style.

— Kaye Wellman, author Eat, Shop, Seattle

If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a stylized photo in a magazine this shop is a phenomenal fix for that as the merchandising is crazy delicious to feast your eyes upon.

— Uncle Beefy at thebedlamofbeefy.com

I feel like a kid in a candy shop every time I walk in the door.

— Apartment Therapy

I ordered ‘Style & Simplicity’ and it was delivered to my home in Hermanus, South Africa. What a delightful book and inspiration!

— Marlien on Facebook

The Seattle tastemaker behind Watson Kennedy: a personally curated store with the absolute best gifts, treasures, home goods, and hand-selected music.

— Town & Country

#genius #book @watsonkennedy #brilliant #perfect #gift

— Howard Slatkin on Instagram

Truly a visual feast for the eyes and palate.Thank you for sharing your abundance of “everything good”.We customers are transported to shopping heaven while in your store(s) and website.

— Blog reader Kris

We’ve long been fans of Seattle retailer Ted Kennedy Watson and his first title certainly lives up to it’s stylish name. The lavish A to Z guide is bursting with tips on how to create a cozy, chic and inviting home.